“Shadow Agents”
Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!
“It’s rumoured that the Shadow Agents use these very tunnels to traverse the city during the night.” The tour guide runs a hand against the wall. She lifts her palm to show us the blackened powder on her skin. “Apparently, they cover their faces in soot to avoid being seen.”
She continues walking, her footsteps echoing around the cold stone. “This tunnel in particular is one of the main paths between the ancient Noriginan Village and Trolivet City. It’s said that the first Shadow Agents were trained in Noriginan Village during the creation of the planet. Back then, they didn’t take on solely the form of humans; their spirits would enter the minds of any living creature–be it plant or animal–and use their bodies for as long as they needed them. When they left those bodies, they would leave behind a lingering memory of a dream.”
A man near the back of the group raises his hand. The tour guide points at him. “Yes, a question?”
The man nods. He steps forward into the guide’s lantern light. His beard casts a heavy shadow over his face as he rumbles, “These… ‘Shadow Agents’. What is their purpose?”
The tour guide shrugs. “Honestly, no one knows, but there are countless theories. Everything from heroes with superpowers to extraterrestrial invaders to supervillains plotting to take over the world have been considered.”
“What do you think?” the man grunts.
The guide smirks. “I think that the only creatures who pass through these tunnels are rats and gullible tourists.”
Final Comments: Eh, not 100% happy with this ending. I considered a few different routes for it, but this is the one that ended up making it onto the page.
Overall Rating: 😥
